Karen O’Connor, Pat Parelli, Linda Parelli and David O’Connor. (Photo courtesy Coco Photography.) Ocala, FL - February 21, 2011 – Children in the central and northern Florida area had their wishes granted when Pat Parelli, the founder of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, traded in his cowboy boots for a jumping saddle during the Second Annual Make-A-Wish Equine Challenge on Valentine’s Day at the Ocala Equestrian Complex. At the same time, David O’Connor, Olympian and President of the United States...

Mark Watring and Green Sleeps Vioco. (Flying Horse Photography©.) Thermal, CA - Puerto Rico’s Mark Watring and Horseworks Etc. Inc’s Green Sleeps Vioco secured their first Grand Prix triumph of the circuit when they scored the top prize in Saturday’s $50,000 Purina Mills CSI-W Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, in the indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park, in Thermal, CA. Last night’s triumph by Watring continued an impressive streak by the men competing at HITS Thermal as each...

Lexington, KY – The Executive Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will meet to consider Extraordinary Rule Changes to clearly define the implementation of the Federation’s new helmet rule to breed competitions that offer dressage classes. The committee will meet later this month to discuss the changes, which will clarify the rule in the Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian and Morgan divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions. To review the latest memo regarding the use of...

Oklahoma City, OK – A group of enthusiastic young leaders are gearing up for an exciting year with the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). Five outstanding youth members were recently elected by their peers to lead the NRHyA. After stating their goals for the year, they are ready to get their hands dirty to better the association they are proud to serve. The NRHyA annual meeting, which included officer elections, was held during the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American...

Taylor Ann Adams after winning the 2009 Essex Classics/USHJA Hunterdon Cup at HITS Saugerties. (Lili Weik Photography©) Saugerties, NY - HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has selected HITS-on-the-Hudson to be the host site for the 2011 Junior Hunter National Championships – East Coast, marking the return of the event to HITS facility for the sixth time in the past seven years. The 2011 USEF Junior Hunter Championships - East Coast will be held...

Wellington, FL - January 17, 2011 - The first week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) was a great success with horses and riders from around the world competing at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. It was a record opening week for the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, with the number of horses showed increased by 11% from last year. The competition, held in 12 different rings all now on the North Grounds, was fantastic, and spectators and exhibitors enjoyed the venue...

Caroline Roffman and Danish horse Lux Stensvang. (Photo courtesy of HorseSportsPhoto.) Wellington, FL (January 18, 2011) – Dressage rider Caroline Roffman kicked off the New Year by competing in and winning the Young Rider Grand Prix on Lux Stensvang at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I Show. Roffman, who was named the 2010 FEI Rising Star by the International Equestrian Federation, won the FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice Open on Lux with a score of 68.605% and also rode Pie to the...

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister. (Photo by Stock Images. ) Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2011 Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy will be talented eventing rider Tiana Coudray. Each year this award is presented to a Young Rider in one of the Olympic disciplines who exemplifies both sportsmanship and horsemanship. In 2010 Coudray had a banner year, winning the Jersey Fresh CCI*** and the Galway Downs International...

Tucker S. Johnson earned the Individual Bronze Medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Photo By: Susan J. Stickle.) Gladstone, NJ - January 10, 2011 - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Combined Drivers Tucker S. Johnson of Hobe Sound, FL, is the recipient of the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup. The award is presented annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike...

Aurora, OH - Riders4Helmets, the helmet awareness campaign founded by Jeri Bryant and equine health product SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program, will be hosting a “by invitation only” Helmet Safety Symposium. The event will take place January 8, 2011, at the White Horse Tavern, Wellington, FL, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The symposium is sponsored by Troxel Helmets, Charles Owen Helmets, Tipperary Helmets and Samshield Helmets. The Helmet Safety Symposium has been organized to bring together...